Press Release
Son Jarocho: A 350-year-old Afro-Mexican Musical Tradition
Thursday, October 10 thru Monday, October 14, 2019
Main concert event: Saturday, October 12, 5PM at Décima Musa (1901 S. Loomis)
Chicago, IL (September 24, 2019) – The Pilsen Community extends a warm welcome to music enthusiasts from across the United States to join us for the 7th Encuentro de Jaraneros of the Midwest for a week of music & dance workshops, live music concerts and fandango jam sessions in celebration of Son Jarocho culture. Son Jarocho is a 350-year-old Afro-Mestizo folk music tradition that stems from Veracruz, Mexico that came about as a result of the intermingling of Native Americans and African slaves who were exposed to string music introduced by the Arabic influenced Spaniards.
For the past three decades, scholars, musicians and the community of Veracruz have fostered jarocho traditions, creating a movement called “el movimiento jaranero.” These traditions have expanded and have since gained international interest which embodies dance, poetry and musical dialogue of universal sociopolitical struggles across the US and Latin America. The Encuentro de Jaraneros celebrates that resistance and resilience.
The 7th Encuentro de Jaraneros includes concerts, music & dance workshops, music appreciation workshops and fandango jam sessions which are mostly free, all ages and open to the public. This years’ guests from Veracruz, México is a pioneer Leona (acoustic bass) player and composer Laura Rebolloso & Ensamble Marinero.
Son de Madera co-founder, Laura Rebolloso holds a Masters in Education and currently teaches Son Jarocho Master Classes all over the world. She has lectured at Berklee College of the Arts, New England Conservatory, University of Washington, UCLA, Ethos Music Center, Universidad Veracruzana and many more while touring in over 12 countries in 3 continents. Her music collaborations include Zack de La Rocha, Quetzal and Cirque de Soleil. Laura currently leads Ensamble Marinero focusing on the fusion of traditional son jarocho and jazz music.
The Encuentro de Jaraneros offers concerts & workshops taking place in various venues and cultural centers including: the legendary Restaurant/Bar Décima Musa in Pilsen, Bárbaro, Lillstreet Art Center, Tack Room and Collaborative Institute of Cultural Arts. Calendar of events below.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Concert/Workshop Schedule
Thursday, October 10 // 8pm — Concert and jam session (free) at Tack Room 1807 S. Allport
Friday, October 11 // 8pm — Concert: Ensamble Marinero (free) at Bárbaro 2525 W. North Ave.
Saturday, October 12 // 5pm –Encuentro de Jaraneros Concert & Fandango tickets (no one turned away for lack of funds) featuring Laura Rebolloso, Los Gallos, Jarochicanos & CICA Music Ensamble at Décima Musa 1901 S. Loomis.
Sunday, October 13 // 12pm — Son Jarocho Music Appreciation Workshop ($5 donation) at 2146 W. 18th St.
Sunday, October 13 // 5pm — Al Otro Lado Benefit Concert Co-presented by Hothouse tickets. With Juan Díes, Mexican Tragic Ballads (Grammy® Nominee), Laura Rebolloso & Ensamble Marinero from Veracruz, Mexico.
Monday, October 14 // 6pm — Zapateado & Jarana Workshops tickets at CICA 4330 S. Archer Ave.
Check: www.facebook.com/encuentrodejaranerosmidwest for updates.